Lost My Credit Card

Lthisguy1234 on 24/10/2018 - 23:55

I would be grateful if any OZbargainers have had a similar experience or work in the banking industry would know and help me with this…

After realising that I had lost my debit/credit card in Perth southern Suburb when I was visiting my bro, I immediately went into a branch to cancel it and asked for a new one be sent to my home address in Perth. I noticed some unauthorized transactions made, like buying burger from a restaurant in Armadale by the person who found my card and used it before i could freeze it.

The estimated amount lost was around $20 (from multiple transactions).

The bank (Westpac) mentioned to me that if I wanted, to they could print out a detailed summary of the transactions and I could take it to the police for investigation.

So, my questions is: If i report, will the police bother investigating this to the catch the guy who used my card?

Cheers.

Financial Credit Card

Related Stores

Westpac
Westpac

Comments

  • garetz on 25/10/2018 - 00:21
    +3

    Police aren't going to do anything about $20 worth of unauthorised transactions on a lost credit card. You should be covered by the bank with unathorised transactions, just get them to refund the unauthorised transactions.

    • thisguy1234 on 25/10/2018 - 00:39

      Oh damn. But what if the guy who used my card was caught in some CCTV cameras, say in the restaurant where he used my card to buy a burger? Will the cops be still interested?

      • AdosHouse on 25/10/2018 - 00:47
        +3

        Unlikely mate. Police are busy enough without diverting some detectives to find a guy who stole $20.

      • John Kimble on 25/10/2018 - 03:00
        +1

        Yep, extremely unlikely. Unless the person happened to be a serial offender/known to them or it was in addition to other illegal activities. But they wouldn't know that unless they investigated, so catch 22.

  • KangarooOz on 25/10/2018 - 04:46

    If someone stole ScoMo’s credit card and spent $20, I believe police will act differently.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2018 - 06:17
    +1

    Check if any of the transactions were made whereby the theif can be clearly seen on a camera. Do some investigative work yourself, then contact police. Use police assistance line (NSW) and I guess other states have a number to call for non-urgent reporting of relatively minor matters such as this.
    Sounds like wasn't used at a teller machine but maybe they tried to if they attempted to withdraw from machine, the bank can probably get the photo.
    Contact the burger place, don't mention that it was only $20 before you cancelled card, as this is not relevant, just explain that your card was lost/stolen, and somebody used your card fraudulently to purchase meal from their restaurant.
    Have time, date, transaction ID etc ready (whatever the bank can give you) , then the burger place or anywhere else does not have to help you, but maybe they will be nice and check their camera at that time, to see who it was and if there is a clear photo (it might even be a local regular at the store, and owner could call cops next time he/she is in) .
    If you can comfirm with 1 or more of the stores, yes, they have a clear photo etc of the person, at specified time that purchased burger (or whatever else) with your lost/stolen card … Then go back to police with this info in your report . The store might even show you the photo, or provide a copy of the video or photo to you. Again, they are under no obligation to you, to assist. But they probably want to stop thieves using stolen cards in their store, especially if it is someone local that comes in their store regularly. .
    The amount could be charge-backed, then they lose whatever was spent on the fraudulent transaction, you get money back. Also, anyone using a stolen credit card to make purchases, is also likely the type to shoplift, so stores want to know who it is, and keep them out of their store.
    If they used card at a 7/11, this would be first place I would call. Local 7/11 says boss watches workers on camera, to review their performance. It's sad they are under such scrutiny, but yeah, 7/11 cameras watching what staff do, how much work, whether their keeping busy when no customers there etc, so I'd say the boss reviewing cameras can sus this out for you. Just make sure have exact time, date, amount of purchase, etc, to make it simple for the stores

  • WreckTangle on 25/10/2018 - 06:37
    +1

    Tell the cops and let them decide if they act on it, it’s part of their job to set their own priorities.

    • Ugly on 25/10/2018 - 10:09

      This. Even though $20 might seem trivial, it could add to a pattern of behaviour or become part of a much bigger investigation that you don't know about.

  • stirlo on 25/10/2018 - 08:24

    $20? move on, no one will care, bank will refund.

    I lost $1000, bank refunded, refund took around a month though. Police took details but I never heard anything further. Transactions were made at coles and liquorland so definitely would have been on CCTV.

    Ultimately the police have far more important crimes to solve than low level fraud that won't turn them a profit. Remember that next time you get booked for speeding…

    • Skramit on 27/10/2018 - 22:25

      police have far more important crimes to solve

      Agreed. They have hoons doing 44 in a school zone to book for speeding.

  • GG57 on 25/10/2018 - 10:07

    Did Westpac refund you the $20, or do you need to make the police complaint before they will do that?

    My understanding is that Westpac will refund, and the transactions were almost certainly tap-and-pay and they cover those. If they require the police report, explain that when reporting to the police (that you just need a report reference - much like travel insurance).

    But for $20, you will be wasting police time.

    • miwahni on 25/10/2018 - 22:58
      -1

      This. The bank wants a police report because it substantiates your claim that the transactions are fraudulent. Cops usually won't actively investigate but banks operate on the assumption that if you are willing to report to police, your claim must be genuine. Sometimes it can take a little while for the funds to be refunded to you, but if you follow the process you should definitely get your money back.

      • John Kimble on 26/10/2018 - 04:20

        The bank wants a police report

        Not for $20

        • miwahni on 27/10/2018 - 03:16

          Okay, allow me to amend… the bank where I worked for 21 years required a police report….

  • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2018 - 04:26
    +1

    Will you bother?

    You are going to waste a lot of tax payers money just by filling the forms. If the credit card company doesn't pay you because it is out of their policy, then it is your responsibility.

  • thisguy1234 on 27/10/2018 - 22:19

    Thanks for the suggestions and comments guys. You were all helpful. The bank went ahead with refunding me, so all good. :)

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join